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Albert Makay, PATS, 2012







ALBERT GEORGE MAKAY,Flight Sergeant R86164 150th Squadron

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553 Langside St, Google Maps, 2012. (This is the house that Mr. Makay lived in)

Service Personnel Information

  • Name: Albert George Makay
  • Service Regimental Number:R86164
  • Rank:Flight Sergeant and Warrant Officer Class 2
  • Height/weight:6 ft. 3/4 inches. / 178 pounds
  • Colour of eyes:Blue
  • Marital status:Single
  • Religion: Roman Catholic
  • Address:553 Langside St, Wpg, MB
  • Birthplace:Hungary
  • Next of Kin (and relationship):Mrs. Julia Makay (Mother)
  • Date of enlistment:December 18th, 1940
  • City and province of enlistment:Wpg, MB

Essay

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Winnipeg Tribune Article, 1942
Albert George Makay was a young man born in Saskatchewan on December 25, 1921 and raised in Winnipeg for most of his life. He was one of nine kids in his family and was raised by his mother and father, Mr. and Mrs. Makay. His brother’s names were Steve, Jim, Bill, Louis, Laddie, and Ernest and his sisters were Julia and Margaret (Winnipeg Evening Tribune, "Missing, Injured"). He grew up to be a tall 6 foot man that weighed about 178 pounds. His eyes were blue and he was very slender. He had no wife or girlfriend to my knowledge and was a believer in the Roman Catholic faith (Attestation Paper). Finally he was very into sports such as football and hockey, and he was also an avid stamp collector Overall he seemed like a very smart hansom young man when he entered the military (Interview Report).
Mr. Makay was already in Manitoba when he had begun his schooling. He started off at St. Mary’s, for elementary school, then he attended St. Paul’s College for high school and finally he went to the University of Manitoba. While at St. Paul’s Albert was always a very smart student and excelled in most subjects (Attestation Paper). In fact he was a straight genius most courses receiving ridiculously high marks. However according to his grade report he had a very tough time in History and was nearly failing the course. Even with his low mark in history Albert still managed to graduate in grade an 11 and move on to University a little earlier (School Records and Grades). In his time at St Paul’s I am sure he was a very good student with regards to the discipline system. In fact he even received a recommendation from father Holland himself. I believe Albert was a very well respected student and very intelligent one and this is one of the many reasons why he became a member of the Air force (Attestation Paper).
Mr. Makay enlisted in the military on December 18th, 1940 at the age of 19. He was placed in the 150 squadron of the Air force. He was given the service number of R86164. He first entered as a Sargent and was later promoted to a Warrant Officer Class 2. He trained in the city of Brandon Manitoba, and then moved to Saskatchewan. There he learned how to fly the planes and operate the other machinary. He was later assigned to a plane known as the Wellington BK360 -JN-. This is the plane that he remained on for awhile with his other crewmates. They were, William Alexander Tolmie (Navigator And Bomb Aimer), John Gilbert Cocks (Observer and Nose Gunner), John Alexander Fuller (W. Operator and Air Gunner), and Charles Reginald Patton (Tail and Air Gunner). These men were a mixed bunch from different places. Makay and Patton were from Canada, Tomlie and Cocks were from Britain and Fuller was from New Zealand. They were on a mission over seas when many think thier plane was shot down and they were killed("Jack Edward Gibbs", PATS).
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150 Squdron Crest and Insignia, Flying Squdrons, 2012. (This is an example of the crest that would have belonged to Mr. Makay)
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Albert and his crew,PATS, 2012

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Defense Medal, Veterans Affairs Canada, 2012. (Medal won by Mr. Makay)

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War Medal, Veterans Affairs Canada, 2012. (Medal won by Mr. Makay)
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39-45 Star Award, Hmcshaida, 2012. (Medal won by Mr. Makay)

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C.V.S.P Medal, Creighton Medals, 2012

The way the Albert died was no way for anyone to go, but this was the entire story of the war. He was presumed killed in an accident and was pronounced dead on October 31st, 1942. He was laid to rest and buried in the General Cemetery in Willemsoord, Netherlands. There he lies for eternity at grave 3 Row 0. He was buried with his comrade Charles Reginald Patton who lies right beside him in Grave 2 (CWGC). During his time in the air force he was given many awards, for example the 39-45 Star Award, Defense Medal, the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal and War Medal (Service Award Card).
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Graves of the Wellington Crew, PATS, 2012. (This is the grave site of Albert and his fellow fallen comrads)


My opinion on Mr. Makay is that he was a brave and talented young man that died way too soon. He was bright, intelligent and dedicated to helping our country. These traits were very common fo this time period as many young men such as Albert were needed to fight in the war. All of these men were truely heros, that represented our nation very proudly. We should never forget the sacrifices they made for us and honor them as much as we can.


Military Service Record


  • Age (at death):20
  • Force:Air Force
  • Unit: 150 Squadron
  • Service Number:R86164
  • Honours and Awards: 39-45 Star Award, A/C Eur Star Award, Defense Medal Award, War Medal Award, C.V.S.P Award and Clasp
  • Next of Kin (and relationship): Mrs. Julia Makay
  • Date of Death: October 31st, 1942 (date pronounced missing)
  • Country of Burial:Netherlands
  • Cemetery:General Cementary
  • Grave Reference: Row O Grave 3
  • Location:Willemsoord
  • Book of Remembrance: Page 93
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Book of Remebrance, 1942

Grave Reference


  • Name of Cemetery: General Cementary
  • Grave Reference:Row 0 Grave 33
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General Cemetery


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Location of Cemetary on Map

Additional information/links

http://hmcshaida.ca/dewolf.html
http://airforce.ca/awards.php
http://www.teunispats.net/jack-edward-gibbs.htm

Works Cited:

“Book of Remembrance.” Veterans Affairs Canada. Canadian Government, n.d. Web. 29 Apr. 2012. <http://www.veterans.gc.calections/.jpg>. Here is where I located Mr. Makay in the Book of Remembrance. All of the soldiers that died during the war are remembered here.
Canada. Royal Canadian Air Force. Attestation Paper. N.p.: Royal Canadian Air Force, n.d. Print. Here I found info on the 'basics' of Mr. Makay. Where he lives, Height/Weight, etc.
Canada. School Records and Grades. Winnipeg: St. Paul's High School, n.d. Print. Here is where i found out what Mr. Makay's Grades were like, when he graduated and what courses he took.
CWGC. Commonwealth War Graves Commission, n.d. Web. 15 May 2012. <http://www.cwgc.org/search-for-war-dead/casualty/2820659/ MAKAY,%20ALBERT%20GEORGE>. Here is where I located the placement of Mr. Makay's grave site. It was very helpful because it gave me the exact location.
"Jack Edward Gibbs." PATTS. PATTS, n.d. Web. 16 May 2012. <http://www.teunispats.net/jack-edward-gibbs.htm>. Here i found tons of information on Albert Makay and his squad. This website was amazing for this project. It also had great pictures too.
“Missing, Injured.” The Winnipeg Evening Tribune [Winnipeg] 4 Dec. 1942: 13. Manitobia. Web. 23 Apr. 2012. <http://manitobia.ca/‌/‌/‌‌.xml/?query=Makay%2C%2BAND%2BAlbert%2BAND%2Bdoctype%3Anewspapers>. Here I found a good picture of my soldier and a brief history on his life.

- - -. Royal Canadian Airforce. Interview Report. N.p.: n.p., n.d. Print. Here I found Albert's sports interests and hobbies.
- - -. - - -. Service Award Card//. N.p.: Royal Canadian Air force, n.d. Print. Here I found the awards that Mr. Makay was honored with for his service.

Archival Reference

Internet Sites

http://hmcshaida.ca/dewolf.html

http://airforce.ca/awards.php

http://www.teunispats.net/jack-edward-gibbs.htm